Voter turnout exceeds 72% by 18:00

Voter turnout was as follows:

Astana – 49.87%

Abai region – 77.54%

Akmola region – 78.95%

Aktobe region – 84.95%

Almaty region – 70.04%

Atyrau region – 69.05%

West Kazakhstan region – 71.15%

Zhambyl region – 83.99%

Zhetysu region – 89.69%

Karaganda region – 74.78

Kostanay region – 75.31%

Kyzylorda region – 88.09%

Mangystau region – 70.61%

Pavlodar region – 69.99%

North Kazakhstan region – 75.14%

Turkistan region – 90.17%

Ulytau region – 68.23%

East Kazakhstan region – 85.43%

Almaty city – 41.06%

Shymkent – 71.89%

The next update on voter turnout at polling stations will be released at 20:00.

As it was reported, Kazakhstan's first-ever elections for deputies of the country's new unicameral Qurultay began on August 23. Polling stations opened across the country, with voting set to continue until 8:00 p.m.

Kazakhstanis are voting for one of seven political parties participating in the elections. Following the vote, seats in the Qurultay will be distributed among the parties that surpass the legally established threshold.